274 Sqdn

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
274 Squadron,when did the squadron last use the Spitfire ?
I understand that they acquired some Tempest V from August of '44.
But were they still using Spitfires in October ?
Thanks
Alex

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Alex

According to Jefford's 'RAF Squadrons' 274 used Spitfire IXs until Aug 19144

Malcolm

[PNK]

I suspect you may have to consult the squadron ORB as these things never happens quickly or smoothly and if Tempest availability was poor some Spitfires may have been held on to for a while after conversion.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Many thanks to you both for the swift response.
Yes Jefford's has on page 84,
May 44 Spitfire IX (Aug 44).
"
"
"
17 Aug 44 - to Manston
Aug 44 - Tempest V ( Sep 45 )
20 Sep 44 - to Coltishall

But the Air Brit serial book Has Spitfire IX lost in October. MA644.
Hence my question.

Again many thanks,
Alex

[allan125]

When 274 Squadron, along with 80 Squadron, joined 125 Wing at B.82 Grave at the beginning of October 1944 they both arrived with Tempest V's, at that time only the Advance Party of 125 Wing was at Grave, the remainder were still at B.70 Antwerp/Deurne, so not only were the fitters/armourers faced with waiting to see who would turn up next, the remainder of the Wing, or the Germans, they had to take on the Tempest V, as well as 130 (Punjab) and 402 (Winnipeg Bear) Squadrons with their Spitfire XIV's.

The 4 Spitfire IX squadrons (132, 441, 453 and 602) had just returned to the UK for other roles - fortunately within a week the Tempest V squadrons were posted to 122 Wing at B.80 Volkel, and the remainder of the Wing personnel arrived before the Germans, who were busy dropping anti-personnel bombs from Me 262's on this rather damp ALG.

Allan

[dennis_burke]

YOu can sneak a peak at the ORB using the redacted images on the TNA website, it should tell you enough I think about daily flights, at least give it a look for the period your referring to.

Basically there is a viewer window but they have been able to place big blaking chequer board patterns over it blanking out half the image.

For free files, you can see the whole document without downloading